How To Cook Like Your Grandmother

I found a really neat blog today called How To Cook Like Your Grandmother.

Check out this pretty hilarious entry called No Secret Recipes. "So why do so many people have "secret recipes" that they won't share with friends and family? Does Aunt Betty's peach cobbler taste better because you don't know how to make it? Does Cousin Frank think people are going around talking about how good his chili is when he's not around?" (Click on link to read the rest of the entry.)

Here is my reply:

I've just discovered your blog and am really enjoying reading it.

I do agree with all the points people have made regarding "No Secret Recipes" but do want to contribute one more:

Ever do a recipe exactly the same as someone else, yet it tastes different? Ounce for ounce, measure for measure identical - but there is just something you cannot define in the taste testing.

I've done this with my mom, made pasta salads and sandwiches side by side with her - we were like conjoined twins in the kitchen - and yet I could tell the difference between hers and mine (and preferred hers every time lol).

Something undefined happens during preparation/cooking/etc., of a recipe that makes it your own.

So, in my opinion, secret recipes are moot because if you make it and then I do - it will be similar but never the same.